Safe, Walkable and near Park/Shops/Restaurants for a young family...oh and under $200k! (Gallatin: for sale by owner)

[Jypseocrash]

My husband, young daughter and I have just moved back to our hometown of Nashville after being away for the last 5 years. We've visited a bunch, but we had NO idea how popular Nashville's housing market has become OR how quickly the boroughs have been changing! Wow. We thought we'd come home, quickly buy up an adorable, 1930s fixer-upper near a great park and our favorite pub (just like in Denver!) and just live happily ever after. This has proven harder (if not seemingly impossible) than we imagined.

We've been back in town a couple of weeks and are renting a duplex in Hermitage...waiting and watching the listings to find something really cool in a safe, friendly neighborhood that we can afford.

I know there have been similar postings on the price range, but our schtick is that we'd really like to live in Nashville. My husband works in Wedgewood/Houston (near the fairgrounds) and he'd ideally like to bike to/from work. I'm at home with the baby right now, but intend to coordinate with parents in Gallatin and Mt. Juliet in order to eventually return to work, at least part-time.

~The culture/feel is right for us in areas adjacent to 12South (like 8th Ave/Edgehill, near Reservoir Park) and East Nashville near Eastwood or Lockeland.

*Obviously, safety is key with the little one. We want to be out walking, jogging and biking with her in a safe environment. However, we're just not inspired (is that snobby?) by Donelson, Hermitage or Madison. Maybe it's become too familiar.

I grew up in South Nashville, around Paragon Mills Elementary, in Joelton/Bordeaux and in Mt. Juliet, but these areas are all changing a ton. For instance, I hear a lot of development is happening in Woodbine and Vine Hill, but nothing seems to be FOR SALE in these neighborhoods.

Any thoughts or ideas to share? I'd love to hear about the communities where you live-especially if you feel like they aren't understood correctly in general or if you're noticing a lot of renaissance in certain areas.

Thanks!
Jesse

[BirdieBelle]

Sorry ...

You'll need to drop one of the requirements in the title of your post.

[CountryGirl2b=]

Maybe check around Crieve Hall?

RealTracs Mid-South Real Estate Property Finder Listing Details

[septimus]

I've heard Donelson is "the next thing"

[yank283]

Well, those pre-war houses in East Nashvile for under 200K are starting to dry up...especially in the more gentrified/safer areas. You might be able to still find one though. I would suggest getting an East Nashville savy real estate agent (possibly Village?). You are probably just not going to find one in in that price range in Lockeland Springs, Edgefield, or East End unless you win the lottery (if it does happen investors are usually all over it before it can go on the market). You might get lucky and find one in the Eastwood Neighbors area. They come up once in a blue moon but this area has been booming for awhile.

You might also check into the Rosebank neighborhood. I've been singing the praises of Rosebank for years and it looks like people are noticing now. Rosebank Elementary is starting to get a good reputation with lot's of new involved parents coming into the neighborhood (residents are already tabbing it the next Lockeland Elementary/Dan Mills). Not alot of pre-war houses but there are ranch houses that are pretty close to Rosepepper, Eastland Cafe, Ugly Mugs, the new Climb Nashville, new Cumberland Transit, Silly Goose, Wild Cow...et all. Also it's right by Shelby Park and soon to be added greenspace of the former Cornelia Fort airport. That area is booming now also, but the price point started lower than Eastwood Neighbors.

Inglewood would not be as walkable but there are deals to be made occasionally. The nicer areas of Inglewood tend to be towards the river and by Dan Mills Elementary, Winding Road/Brush Hill area. It might be hard to find one in your range there but you might get lucky and find a fixer upper. Again, they will go fast so it pays to get a savy real estate agent that knows the area.

BTW, there are very active Mom's Clubs in East Nashville and a lot of young families are moving into the area.

[nashvols]

Magic 8 ball says: Outlook not so good.

[yank283]

Originally Posted by nashvols

Magic 8 ball says: Outlook not so good.

ha...yeah...investors are leaving sticky notes on people's doors to "call them" and getting two or three letters a week in the mail about selling their house to them. This time last year, the OP probably could have found a fixer upper in that price range fairly easily...but don't give up...it might be out there wherever you look....good luck

[travelhound]

Try around Sylvan park and Sylvan Heights. there was a shotgun shack over there last week for 149k, perfect for a young couple. Downside, right by the railroad tracks, but that's why it's so low. There is a cottage in Hillsboro for 279k all fixed up. There are a few bargains to be had but it's usually owner to seller deals so you really have to be aggressive, the market is very tight inside the 440 loop. West Nashville is super hot around White bridge road. You can find things but you really have to drive around and look at neighborhoods and for sale by owner signs as well as finding an agent you like.